So I reloaded my first batch of .223 and when I throw a round in my AR and disengage the bolt catch it leaves a small dimple in the primer. I then tried it with a factory round (55 grain federal) and it did the same thing. I have shot over 1000 rounds of this same federal ammo and not had a problem but should I worry about a slam fire or not? Also could my firing pin have a weak spring or something like that?

c3shooter

07-19-2013 07:30 PM

Well, with MOST ARs, there IS no spring- the firing pin is free floating- and inertia makes it go forward and put that little POCK! in the primer.

None of my military issue M16s had a firing pin spring, and that did not cause them to bust a cap when loading up.

hoovco

07-19-2013 08:01 PM

If you don't know that your AR doesn't have a firing pin spring, you might wanna take it apart and have a look.

robocop10mm

07-19-2013 08:52 PM

You dropped a round in the chamber and dropped the bolt on it? Not a good idea. I call that force feeding. You will ALWAYS get a dimple on the primer when you do this. It was designed to be fed from the magazine. The resistance of stripping a round out of the magazine slows the bolt carrier just enough to prevent this.

bfoosh006

07-20-2013 03:02 AM

Perfectly normal result , but I agree with the other guys... don't do that. 99.999% of the time it will be fine... but...

I don't use the handle, I chuck it in a small battery drill. Makes short work of it.

Make sure you are using the correct primer. Remington 6 1/2 primers have softer cups and should not be used in a 223 let alone an AR-15 223. If you are concerned about your choice of primer you can use primers designed for the AR type rifles. Federal, CCI and Wolf all make them. I use Rem 7 1/2, a mag primer with a thicker cup.

Keep that bolt and firing pin clean and lubed. It is said that carbon build-up in the BCG can cause the firing pin to stick, although I have know direct knowledge this will cause a "Slam-fire", it's best just to keep it clean and lubed, so you don't have to find out if it's true or not.

And as already pointed out, load from the magazine.

mseric

07-20-2013 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiwall
(Post 1309245)

If it bothers you then trade for a Mini-14.

The Mini-14 also has a free floating firing pin.

JoshH

07-20-2013 03:42 PM

First, yeah I took apart the Bolt and removed firing pin, no spring....duh right?! Maybe I wasn't clear, I never dropped a round in the chamber the slammed the bolt forward, I loaded it In the mag then released the bolt catch as if I were doing a mag change. Also I checked the primer during my initial inspection of the rounds. All rounds went in my Wilson case gauge and were inspected closely. So I understand correctly, this is not a big deal and is mostly due to the free float firing pin in the AR design. Sorry for the newbie questions but I'm new to the AR platform as well as reloading. Some of you know it alls around here are really quick to try and talk sh!t instead of answering questions but no sweat, guess Ill do my research a little better before I post a "stupid" question on here.

mseric

07-20-2013 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshH
(Post 1309671)

First, yeah I took apart the Bolt and removed firing pin, no spring....duh right?! Maybe I wasn't clear, I never dropped a round in the chamber the slammed the bolt forward, I loaded it In the mag then released the bolt catch as if I were doing a mag change. Also I checked the primer during my initial inspection of the rounds. All rounds went in my Wilson case gauge and were inspected closely. So I understand correctly, this is not a big deal and is mostly due to the free float firing pin in the AR design. Sorry for the newbie questions but I'm new to the AR platform as well as reloading. Some of you know it alls around here are really quick to try and talk sh!t instead of answering questions but no sweat, guess Ill do my research a little better before I post a "stupid" question on here.

I'm not sure where that came from, but if I offended you in any way, my apologies.

Please, don't be afraid to ask questions as there are no "Stupid" questions when it comes to manufacturing little bombs we set off right next to our eyes, ears and brain.
Ask away we are here to help.